Elderly toy poodle

Question
Hello, recently our 14 year old poodle, Trixie, went missing for 4 nights. We let her outside to use the restroom, as always, and she just never came scratching to be let back in. She had never left our yard before. We found her after putting up lost/missing posters. She was found and took care of by some wonderfully kind people who called when they saw the poster. She had wondered (or was picked up and threw out), about two miles from our house. She seems so quiet now. (slowing getting back to her self) but I was wondering if elderly dogs go through mental confusion like humans do? Could she have completely just forgot where she was, and wondered off? We now do not let her go out without one of us there.

Answer
Hi Lotte,
I'm so sorry your family and Trixie went thru this.  Yes elderly dogs do go thru alot of the same things that elderly people do.  Keep a close eye on her.  I actually had this happen with one of mine and she was missing for a year.  When we final got her back she had suffered very poor treatment at the hands of what turned out to be a dog napper.  She never recovered.  I'm so glad that you found Trixie and that she is home with you.

Blessings
Brandie